1. Ease of Maintenance — Generally, new homes do not require as much upkeep and the ongoing maintenance as needed in older homes. Appliances and features also are modern and up-to-date.
2. Personalization — When purchasing a home during the building stage or when having a home custom built, a homebuyer can choose their interior and exterior colors. They also can select their cabinets, countertops, carpet, flooring, plumbing and lighting fixtures, and many other items. Their new home “feels like their own” from the day they walk in the door. For custom homes, homebuyers also can choose where the electrical outlets go, what type of interior lighting, bathroom fixtures, and much more.
3. Instant Community — Homeowners love interacting with their neighbors. Buying a home in a new housing development means buyers have something in common with their neighbors. Community living is very appealing. Often times, buyers feel that it is easier to get acquainted with neighbors in a new housing development instead of an established neighborhood.
4. Floor Plans for Today’s Lifestyle — Floor plans in new homes are much more in keeping with the way people live today. Kitchens are more open and are integrated with living spaces to gather families together. Master suites with luxurious baths and sitting areas also are popular. Found in many new homes, an open floor plan provides greater flexibility and is ideal for entertaining friends and business associates. New homes today also have more storage space, more electrical outlets, more closet space, and large, modern kitchens.
5. Energy Efficiency — New construction techniques, materials, and appliances all work together to dramatically lower utility bills that can save families money on heating and cooling costs. Among the ways new homes can lower utility costs are Low “E” windows, extra insulation in walls and attic, high-efficiency heating and cooling systems, and the Rinnai tank-less on-demand water heating.
6. Appreciation in Value — New homes usually appreciate in value more quickly than older homes. Builders often say that the first buyer makes more money than the builder does!  New-home buyers have experienced major run-ups in prices during the past five years.
7. Safety — Old homes often have hazards such as asbestos, lead-based paint, leaking gas lines or faulty wiring. Plus they may pre-date current building codes for safety glass in windows or for severe weather or disasters such as tornadoes. Many new homes are built with storm rooms that offer extra protection from a tornado. New homes are built with materials that have been tested to meet the strictest safety standards.
8. Technology — It is much simpler and more cost effective to install technology options in a new home than to retrofit an old home. This can be an fancy as a home theater room or as simple as extra electrical outlets, more phone jacks and wiring for cable television and computers. Homebuyers enjoy the greater flexibility found in a new home designed for families in the 21st Century.
9. Warranties and Customer Service — New homes typically come with a complete warranty. Having the builder available if buyers need help also provides an added sense of security. Buyers know the roof will provide many years of protection before needing replacement. They also know the heating and air conditioning systems should last for many years. Major appliances also come with warranties.
10. Lead Time — Purchasing a new home gives buyers lead time to sell their own home and to do some planning. This is particularly important for relocation buyers who are moving cross-country.

• Exhibits — The Show features more than 300 exhibits showcasing every facet of the residential construction industry from products to services.
• Education — dozens of industry experts present the latest information on a wide variety of the most timely and important industry issues.
• Networking — In addition to the exhibits and education sessions, the Show offers the opportunity for industry professionals from across the country to meet in a casual, intimate setting. There’s no better place to do business and relax at the same time!
• Star Awards — From hundreds of entries to dozens of winners, this gala event recognizes excellence in the residential construction industry.
• Excellence in Leadership Dinner and Builder Hall of Honor — Recognition and installation of TAB’s leadership and presentation of awards to outstanding members and industry giants takes place at this event.

The official web site of the Sunbelt Builders Show is www.SunbeltBuildersShow.com.

Sponsored by the North Texas Home Builders Association, the Parade of Homes also benefits Habitat For Humanity.

Doug McCulloch, president of the North Texas Home Builders Association, said, “The Parade is your opportunity to conveniently tour several homes in an evening or during a weekend, seeing the improvements in home design and construction being made by our industry. We also invite you to tour the latest Habitat For Humanity home and see how this organization is helping area citizens fulfill their dream of home ownership.”

Visitors to each year’s parade homes see many of the latest features and construction techniques. They see homes in a wide range of sizes and prices. Everything from starter homes to two-story luxury executive homes is included in each year’s Parade.

McCulloch noted that today’s homes are much more energy efficient than homes built 10 or 20 years ago. Floor plans are much more flexible with less hallways and wasted space. New innovations and materials also make these homes a better value from older homes.

A highlight of each year’s Parade is the “Showcase Home” built through the cooperation of the associate members of the North Texas Home Builders Association. Craftsmen, subcontractors, and suppliers provide labor and supplies to build the “Showcase Home” where visitors will see everything new that the industry has to offer.

Hours for the Parade of Homes are from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays and from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends. Representatives of the various builders will be present in their homes to answer questions and offer assistance. A ticket is just $5 per person and gets a visitor into every home on the Parade.

Recently, a “Wall of Honor” was created to recognize all of the former presidents. Each presidents photo hangs on this Wall of Honor, located in the large meeting room at the association office on Fairway Boulevard.

Robert Seabury is the only original member from that organizational meeting in the mezzanine of the Holt Hotel. Jay Thompson, Joe Best, and Robert Seabury were three of the four persons at that first meeting.

At the time, Thompson and Seabury both worked for Dick Hughes, the Pampa, Texas homebuilder who was building homes in Faith Village and Lynnwood Additions in the early 1950s. Hughes was the one who suggested the industry needed a local association.

The list of presidents includes: Joe Best, 1953; Charles Harbaugh, 1954; Bill Dixon, 1955; Dub Dennis, 1956; Gene Stephens, 1957; Bob Seabury, 1958; Pete Yancy, 1959.

The presidents during the 1960s included: A.E. Saikowski, 1960; Ronny Lundien, 1961; Bob Seabury, 1962; E.L. Campbell, 1963; George Allen, 1964; Gene Stephens, 1964; Tom Hill, 1965; Dub Dennis, 1966; Elie Lam, 1967; John Moore, 1968; Bill Sharp, 1969.

During the 1970s, the president’s position was held by: Recil Joyce, 1970; Bill Rowland, 1971; Jerry Wood, 1972; Dave Rhone, 1973; R.J. Spence, 1974; Mike Lam, 1975; Elvin Dudley, 1976; Chuck Dennis, 1977; Mike Rhone, 1978; Rip Smith, 1979.

In the 1980s, the top leadership included: Bob Mataska, 1980; Charles Barr, 1981; Steve Rhone, 1982; Jim Marshall, 1983; Ray Hatcher, 1984; Bill Rowland, 1985; John Wilson, 1986; Elvin Dudley, 1987; James Foster, 1988; Bobby Rowland, 1989.

Presidents in the 1990s were: Chuck Dennis, 1990; Jim Pharries, 1991; John Wilson, 1992; James Foster, 1993; Randy Wachsman, 1994; Robert Seabury, 1995; Charles Barr, 1996; Davis Rhone, 1997; Bobby Rowland, 1998; Bill Rowland, 1999.

The latest persons to hold the president’s position are:  Charles Barr, 2000; Charles Barr, 2001; Steve Lane, 2002; Dave Rhone, 2003; Jay Buchanan, 2004; Randy Wachsman, 2005; Robert Seabury, 2006; Jose Garcia, 2007; Chuck Dennis, 2008; Chuck Dennis, 2009; Doug McCulloch, 2010.

Several builders have held the top leadership position more than once. Robert Seabury and Chuck Dennis have both served as president four times during the 56-year history of the association. Others who have served more than one term as president include Bill Rowland, James Foster, Charles Barr, Bobby Rowland, Randy Wachsman, John Wilson, Elvin Dudley, Dub Dennis, Gene Stephens, and Mike Lam.

Executive Secretary Mary McKie did an excellent job in putting the Wall of Honor together to recognize all of the presidents of the North Texas Home Builders Association and to remember the history behind this vital association.